This week, we’re talking about keeping our word and breaking promises. Promises are made everyday in all arenas; at school, at work, here in class, and out in the community. Some promises are spoken while others are implied. Someone once said; “people ask me why it’s so hard to trust people and, and I ask them why is it so hard to keep a promise.” Do you think this attitude is representative of how people think? Has it always been this way or do you feel that a lack of trust is more common today than it was in past generations? Why? How important is it to you that people (including yourself) keep their word? How important is it that our leaders keep their word? This week, your Powerful Thought Assignment  is to reflect on how well you keep your promises. How about those you come into contact with daily or weekly? What adjustments need to be made?

This week we’re talking about cheating and trust. When we enter our teens and adulthood, the idea of cheating takes on different kinds of meanings. It doesn’t just refer to forcing a result in an underhanded way as in a game or a test in school. We also talk about it with regard to relationships in love, work, and frienship. Some choose to remain disconnected and suspicious while others keep the faith in those with whom they interact. Where do those in your life tend to fall? Samuel Jackson wrote; “It is…happier to sometimes cheated than not to trust.” Do you agree? It is better to trust and sometimes be wronged than to not trust at all? This week your Powerful Thought Assignment is to ponder; Do you tend to trust even though there is a possibility of someone cheating you or do you choose not to trust at all?

This week, we’re talking about trust, lying and telling the truth. These days we hear a great deal about deception in the news and in other media. It seems that lying has become fodder for entertainment. But lying and truth-telling can have enormous effects on a relationship–personal, business, or otherwise. Can we have dependable friendships, work successfully together towards a goal, or be great leaders if we lie? Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote; “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.” Do you believe that–or is a one time or every once in a while lie OK? Does lying destroy a relationship or is it just part of what makes relationships…human? This week your Powerful Thought Assignment is to get honest about your relationships. Can you really trust your friendships, partnerships, and teams/classes of which you are a part? Why or why not?

This week we’re talking about how we can preserve and commemorate the legacies of others as well as how we can conciously create our own. How can we remember the lessons and honor the gifts of someone in our life who leaves a great legacy? Some say with stories. Shannon Alder once wrote; “A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” What are the stories you hope people retell about you? When you are gone, what do you hope people say about you and the way you lived your life? This week, your Powerful Thought Assignment is to think about how you can best remember and commemorate those who have made the biggest impact on you. If their stories are truly important, write them down for future generations.

This week, we’re talking about the people in our lives that have left a lasting impression on us. Who has left a lasting impression on you? Who have been your greatest teachers? What do you believe the qualities are of a teacher who leaves a lasting impression and a great legacy? Perhaps you’ve heard the old adage; “A great teacher loves teaching others to love learning.” Thinking about those who have been your best teachers and who have made you live learning, how do their legacies shape the way you teach, mentor, or present yourself as a role model to others? This week, your Powerful Thought Assignment is to consider the qualities of the one person who made the deepest positive impact on you. Are you embodying those qualities in some ways now as well? How has that person’s legacy impacted you?

Have you ever considered becoming an instructor? There’s an indescribable joy to sharing the AMA Kickboxing experience, helping people through the highs and lows of their  journey, and getting more involved in the Alpha Martial Arts community.

We pride ourselves on our incredible teaching staff, and have developed an extensive teacher training program to develop teaching excellence in-house. As our membership grows, we’re interested in creating more new teachers through our program.

If you’re interested, read on!

Stage One: TNT Training Intensive

A 6-hour intensive training with Kru Alberto and Mr. Herrman.

All future instructors begin by participating in the TNT (Teachers in Training) Intensive. This six-hour training intensive is designed to help future instructors improve their basics, begin learning more advanced techniques, get a better idea of what we expect from our instructors and learn the AMA Kickboxing / ChaiSai Muay Thai teaching style.

Responsibilities

• Successfully complete 6-hour TNT Intensive Training.
• Be an example of excellence: perform techniques with correct form, display good sportsmanship, follow the dojo rules to the letter, and generally represent the best of AMA!
• Display a commitment to self-development both as an athlete/fighter and as an instructor.

Benefits

• Improved basics and introduction to advanced techniques.
• Education in the art and science of teaching.
• Focused, small group training with Kru Alberto, Ms. Ariana, Mr. Herrman & Ms. Kristin.

Stage Two: TNT Team

Upon successfully completing a 6-hour TNT Training Intensive, future instructors become a part of the TNT Team . This stage of the program is the practical application of the skills you learned during the TNT Intensive. It allows future instructors to become familiar with working with students, improve their communication skills and understanding of the AMA Kickboxing / ChaiSai Muay Thai teaching style.

Responsibilities

• Assist at least one class per week with an emphasis on helping create a positive experience for new students
• Attend quarterly TNT Team Trainings
• Set an example of excellence: perform techniques with correct form, display good sportsmanship, follow the dojo rules to the letter, and generally represent the best of AMA!
• Display a commitment to self-development both as an athlete/fighter and as an instructor.

Benefits

• Continuing education in the art and science of teaching.
• Focused, small group training with Kru Alberto, Ms. Ariana, Mr. Herrman & Ms. Kristin.
• Contribution – sharing the art you are passionate about with other students.

Stage Three: Assistant Instructor

TNT Team members who show dedication and promise may be promoted to a paid Assistant Instructor position.

Stage Four: Instructor

Assistant Instructors who excel will be considered for a paid Instructor position.

How To Register

Cost for the 6-hour training is $299, but we are offering a 50% discount to participants in the first TNT Intensive of 2012 (4/29/12). Click here to enroll online and enter discount code “kru” (lowercase).

The TNT Program is invite only. If you have not received an invite but are interested in being considered please let Mr. Herrman know, attend class consistently, do your best and you may earn an invite to the next intensive!

Please note that all positions run quarterly and are reassessed at the end of every calendar quarter (1/1, 4/1, 7/1, 10/1.)

Be early. If you’re not early, you’re late. Give yourself enough time to sign in at the front desk, change, and wrap your hands before class starts. Those of you with smaller bladders may also want to reserve some time for a bathroom trip. Most likely that means showing up at least 10 minutes prior to class.

Check your ego at the door. Empty your Cup. A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.”

Respect your instructors, the AMA staff and your classmates. We pride ourselves on providing a safe and cooperative training environment. Be the student that everyone wants to train with. Be positive, helpful, and encouraging. Set a good example before, during and after class. Smile and say hello. “Wai” (steeple bow) to your instructors at the beginning and end of class — and don’t put your hands on your hips!

Clean up. Put away your toys. Clean up your sweat, blood and tears. Pick up your band-aids, tape, water bottles, shoes and sweaty clothes. Bring your gloves and wraps home with you. Pack it in, pack it out, as they say. Put away all the equipment you used back where it belongs. Neatly!

Respect our equipment. Use the jump ropes, focus mitts, thai pads, wavemasters and thai bags as they are intended. Our equipment was expensive, and the more we have to replace it, the more we’re going to have to charge you.

Bring things to our attention. If you notice that equipment is broken, lights are out, there’s no toilet paper, bring it to our attention so we can do something about it.

Try hard. Effort earns respect. Work hard. Don’t drag people down with a bad attitude. Be optimistic, have fun and push yourself and those around you to do better.

Go hard or go home. The only way to get better is to increase your effort. Always strive to be a little more technical, hit a little harder and move a little faster. Never say, “I can’t.” When you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. Push your limits.

Don’t cheat your technique. Be honest with everyone else, and be honest with yourself. Learn the correct technique and focus on the quality of your movements. If an instructor calls you out for doing something wrong, listen to them. The person watching you train has a much better perspective on what you’re doing than you do. They’re breathing gently and probably experiencing a restful glow and a sub-60 heart rate. You’re halfway through your third Thai Pad round. You’re biased, trust us.

Come to class. For newbies, make sure you’re staying consistent. For old hands, don’t start thinking that it’s okay to just do your own thing whenever you want to. Follow the instructions and work the correct technique and or combos. No matter how experienced you are, you still need coaching and you can still stand to work on the basics. If you have extra things you’re working on, there is mat time available right before or after some classes to work on them. Private training is also available by appointment.

Take ownership. Be responsible and respectful and take pride in your school. Don’t let others get away with things that are bad for them or bad for the school. Remind people to take their clothes with them and pick up their water bottles. If you see someone doing something that you’re pretty sure will hurt them, or someone else, tell them to cut it out. We don’t care who it is — you can call them out! Safety first!

This week we’re talking about how our behvior impacts legacy — especially especially the way in which we treat others. Did you know that young people don’t feel that they have at least 3 older mentors to turn to when they are in a bind or need to talk? This might be where the most powerful legacies are made. How can we make ourselves more available to those who might need guidance? How do young people, other students and friends view you–Have you found that people turn to you for advice? Given the amount of bullying we hear about these days, what do you think is the most important thing young people need to understand about legacy, choices, and their behavior? This week, your Powerful Thought Assignment is to get honest with yourself. Are you treating others in a way that creates a positive legacy? Are changes necessary?

This week, we’re talking about legacies — the good, the bad and the ugly. Author, Ray Bradbury, wrote in Farhenheigt 451; “Everyone must leave something behind when he dies…A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built our a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when you look at that tree or that flower you -planted, you’re there.” Of course, some legacies are great while others are not so great. Who are some people that you feel have left a very powerful legacy–either bad or good–that peopl are still learning from today? How can we impress upon the young people that we mentor, work with, or who look up to us, how the coices we make determine the legacy we leave? This week your Powerful Thought Assignment is to think about the three legacies, bad or good, that are making the bigges impact on your life today.

Alpha Martial Arts “I Love Kickboxing Seattle” program is featured on Groupon today, Saturday 3/3/12 thru Monday 3/5/12! If you just bought the deal please call us at 206-528-3737 to schedule your first lesson at our AMA Bryant location (1 block N. of the University Village) or 206-322-1433 to schedule your first lesson at our AMA Capitol Hill location (2 blocks East of Trader Joe’s). You will begin with a group class and we will schedule your personal training session at the end of your 1st lesson. Click here to view our AMA Bryant schedule or AMA Capitol Hill schedule. Thanks and we look forward to “Fighting the Fat” with you!